pieratt



Nov. 29, 1927. I

Patented Nov. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES JAMES S. IE'IEBAT'IF, OF COBSIGANA, TEXAS,

i httdhltt ASSIGNQR OF NE-FOURTH TO WILLIAM.

0. SMITH, 01E! COH$IUANA, TEXAS.

orncnrr Bananas Ann nrsrnrnuron.

Application nee May a This invention relates to electrical apparatus, particularly to devices for use in connection with the motors of automobiles and the like, and has for its object the provision of a novel combined distributor and circuit breaker so constructed and arranged as to eliminate the employment of the usual coil units provided for at least some of the Ford automobiles in existence, the device furthermore acting to replace the ordinary type of distributor and circuit breaker em ployed in connection with other automobiles, trucks and tractors of the same make.

An important and more specific object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the circuit breaker is operated by the same element which carries the distributor mechanism, the device being consequently simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and use, positive in action, efficient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an inside elevation of the device, this view also disclosing a diagram of the circuit,

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, and V Figure 4 is a detail section on the line 4:-& of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A designates the forward end of the cam shaft of a Ford automobile, truck or tractor. In carrying out the invention I provide a distributor and circuit breaker mechanism including a shell or casr ing 10 of insulating material disposed in encircling relation to the shaft A, as is customary, and rotatably mounted within or at the usual seat provided at the forward end or upon the front plate of the engine, not shown. This member 10 is of a more or less cup-like or casing formation so as to enclose certain parts to be described and it is provided with an arm 11 apertured at 12 for connection with the ordinary rod provided for COIltI'OlliIlg the advancing or the details of construction and arrangement 1926. Serial No. 107.765.

retardation of the spark. The member 10 has its outer portion relatively thick and though extending beyond the face thereof 7 and coaxial therewith. Embedded within the wall of the opening 13 are contacts 15 with which are connected conductors 16 like wise embedded within the material of the member 10 andconnected with respective screws carrying clamping nuts 18 whereby the wires or other conductors 19 leading to the respective spark plugs may be secured.

Secured upon the shaft A as by means of the usual nut B and washer device C is a rotatable member 19, likewise of insulating material, formed with a socket 20 within which is mounted a slidable button or brush 21 urged outwardly by a coil spring 22, this brush cooperating with the contacts 15 for supplying current to the spark plugs of the engine. a Q

Vl ithin the hollow portion of the member 10 the member 19 is formed with an terminals 17, here represented as bolts or extension 23 having cam faces 24 on its periphery with which cooperates a lever 25 pivoted intermediate its ends, as shown at 26, upon a contact device 27 extending through the side of the member 10. The free end of the lever member 25 is preferably bent upon itself as indicated at 28 and bears against the cam members 2 1, these cam members having shoulders 29 extending radially. Suitably secured within the casing member 10, as for instance by the same bolt member 27, is a leaf spring 30 which engages against one end of the lever 25 for urging it into engagement with the cam surfaces. llhe other end of this lever carries a contact point 31 cooperating with a stationary contact point 32 at one end of a contact screw 33 which extends through one side of the member 10.

In actual practice, the device is used in connection with an induction coil or coil unit 34 which may be of any ordinary or preferred type. Gne terminal 35 is connected by a conductor 36 with the contact screw 33 and the other terminal 37 is connected by a conductor 38 with a cont-act screw 39 on a metallic socket member 40 which contains a spring pressed brush 41 engaging against a ring 42 on the hub portion of the member 19 which ring is connected by a conductor 43 with the brush 21.

In the operation, it will be apparent that when the member 19 is rotated with the shaft A the brush. 2] will come. into engagement with the successive contacts 15 for supplying current to the respective spark plugs. At the moment contact is made. the lever 25 is rocked by the passage of the end 28 thereof over the cam faces 24- and shoulders 29. the circuit being consequently broken between the contact points 3'1. and 32. a spark being produced at the plugs in a well known manner. It is really believed, that the construction. operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While. I have shown and described the pre ferred embodiment of. the invention. it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form. construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the snbjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention. I claim:

1. In a device of the character described. a relatively stationary shell member of insulating' material having a central opening. a plurality oi contacts embedded at the openinQL. terminal members embedded in said shell member and connected with the respective contacts. a rotatable member extending through the opening and formed of insulatinq material. a radially movable spring pressed brush carried by the rotatable member and cooperating with said contacts. in combination with a series of cam surfaces on said rotatable member. a stationary contact carried by the shell. and a lever pivoted within the shell and having one end cooperating with said last named contact and its other end bearing against the cam surfaces. 2. In a device of the character described. a relatively stationary shell. member of lnsulating material having a central opening. a plurality of contacts embedded at the opening, terminal members embedded in said. shell member and connected with the respective contacts, a rotatable member extending through the opening and 't'ormed oi insnlating material, a radially movable spriue pressed brush earriedhy the rotatable member and cooperatingwith said contacts. in combination with a series ot cam surfaces on said rotatable member. a stationary eon tact carried by the shell. lever pivoted within the shell and having: one, end coopcrating: with said last named contact and its other end bearing against the cam surfaces. a metallic ring carried by the rotatable memher and electrically connected with said brush. and a second brush carried by said shell member and bearing against said ring.

3. In a device of the character described. a relatively stationanv shell member 0t insulating; material, having a central. openinfl'. a. plurality of contacts embedded at the opcninc. tern'rinal members embedded in said shell member and connected with the respective contacts. a rotatable member cxtcndinrr through the opening" and tormed oi insulatinp; material. an outwardly sprint? pr ssed radially extending); brush carried by the rotatable member and cooperating); with said contacts. in combination w th a series oi cam surfaces on said rotatabl member. a stationary contact carried by the shell. a lever pivoted within the shell and having; one end cooperating with said last named contact and its other end bearing! against the cam snrfaces. a metallic ringcarried by the rotatable member and electrically connected. with said brush. and a second brush carried by said shell member and bearingagainst said ring. the shell member being formed at the opening with an axially extendinghollow projection forming a housing for the end of? the rotatable member and constituting: a snppm't for the second named brush.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

JAMES S. PIERATT. 

